Viral Vicissitudes

Fore Fathers, and Daughters of... Anyone in ear's shot...   after 250 years of shooting fireworks, tooting our own horns, easy to understand so many getting tired of same old same old. BUT, for those willing to take out their ear buds, just for a minute, to hear the distant echo, of the minutemen... Catalyst-it... The initiation of what we see all around the world today, (so many hostilities to choose from) but especially the ones that arose between an established, old world nation and one whose birth gave way to what we are still experiencing today, as growing pains, as in the growing number of reasons to engage, in what we call acts of defiance (protests even), but what they, back 250+ came to be known as some of the original...belligerents. While having a negative connotation, can even be found along with the word "brave"  in the very same sentence, as in an adult spelling test, that we, as educational psychologists in training learned, was a counter-intuitive "Th...

A case of VD "Rocks, scissors, and sand piper" That's how I over-heard it, on the foreign network, in the context of Van conversions...as in "Vancouver, the host..." to what they went on to claim was the new national sport of football. Where we hail from, we know it as having four downs, whereas they, just across the bridge, tunnel, whatever...do things not by yards, so they shortened it to three downs, but lengthened the entire field, of play. And now, here comes the conversion, and we're not talking first downs here. Changing the whole field, and calling it a "pitch" (which I thought, past I checked, a associated with another Canadian sport, played by the Blue Jay birds). By the end of just one segment of sports, and the references to so many iterations of...went and had my hearing checked. And handed me a different diagnosis, as in a false translation. So, are you, like me, suffering from a temporary case of Vernacular Distortion?   

Cutting Commencement Comments  “Can’t cut it…?” Then you might want to ask for retention, a grade repetition, to ready yourself for what’s likely to come. A society that the majority had been wishing for…a cost saving measure, of cutting out, the universally unliked “middleman”, in order to save you, yourself, some time and money. Well started out, like so many ideas that come to you in the middle of the night, as a stroke…of brilliance. Ended with so many who have been serving in such capacities, getting up-ended. So, is this, the beginning of the end, as so many throughout history of false prophets, who have profited from cataclysmic conditions. If you buy into such predictions, you might consider a career in crisis counseling, a growing field of doomsday specialists who live and practice by the motto "always room, for doom" This and other career counseling comments that have caused a growing number to cut commencement exercises altogether...😖 Perennial pastime... An annua...

"Camp Grandiosity!"  "Apply within"... both applicants and those being voluntold; the youngsters and those growing old... "Welcome Campers!" the most typical greeting, but not always done in as grand style, with snack in hand, as soon as they walk in the door... Whatever's handy, is dandy... so said the sending parties, on behalf of those descending upon us... Gratuities... in this camp a simple "please and thank you" will suffice. Guess it will have to, until they start making some cold cash, from the lemonade stand... Grand-standing... is part of the charter and chatter..."Can you get up and get me....?" If done on a timely basis, while standing in for their parents, should put grand-parents in good standing. "Don't forget"  to come back and hang out with us, when we're not too busy counseling campers. (sometimes referred to as gramping down) 

“Watch this!” (Part of a series on Group Players) So said the commentator… commenting on the action packed…that was in part due to how many they packed in - - the erstwhile environmentalists and other unnamed climatologists, who gathered together, on our side of the pond, resulting in climactic conditions… Whole new wave… of unwavering weather reporters, who stood watching while we couldn't stand it anymore - -”What, exactly, are we watching?!…Well, by careful analysis I’d say it’s the Heat Wave… what fans do, to keep each other cool"😪😎 Staying on watch... at the watch parties

"Call sign Maverick" "Mavericks calling"... It's as if it was orchestrated, as a "fly by...night" (more like a “fast break!”, given his coached sport) action movie. Which around here is causing a pause, in the action on and around the main court, in Ann Arbor town, where most of the team he assembled, is still in residence, while pondering that trade portal where, as the tower in Top Gun directed “No go, the pattern is full”... Call it, caption it anyway it fits… “What May come, must also…hit the Dusty trail…Dusty May going for championship drive, all the way down…(my personal fav coming up)...if you come to a South Fork, you can now buy it, and corral as many Mavericks as you can get your hands on…” Maybe this Dusty May can make a better transition from the collegiate ranks to the pros, after so many others have gotten thrown off (talk about a dust up!). While back (at the so-called ranch) at U-M there’s a different call out “May Day, May Day, Prime D...

  Star gazers and their fancy Blazers Let’s face it… as in when the teen had seen enough already, of peering at peers, wearing North Face and other brand name clothing, designed for wherever the “rugged outdoors” might draw them to…"they can kiss my..." South Butt, was the counter brand that came out of this dinner table conversation. Which went on to make him a pretty sum, a sum which went sky high, once North Face and its attorneys went on the air, and this lean teen went on after, posing as the victim. Ultimately a matter that was settled outside...of court. Here we go again, with bougie brands of buggies whose only hints of going off road are a few bug marks on the windshields...upon closer inspection are also part of the mark-ups on the sticker. I mean "come on..." the brand "Trail Blazer" itself only came out after a lot of focus groups met inside. And all those sky lights and moon roofs? Well, as far as I can tell, based on a brief survey of commute...

"A Nation in Decline"...   (Part 1 in a run-up to 250)  "One that is past its Prime" as posed by the commentator on early morning "Newswatch" via BBC, which frequently casts negative light on our U.S. history, tongue-in-check style, on our way to our 250th anniversary of Independence from the Crown. This time, a turnabout, mirror-image style, as in the current Prime minister taking a step back, after only two years since leading his party to a landslide victory. It's all about building coalitions and such -- such is the way that they pave the way, to so many elections over there. As far as here and what's about to unfold, if you put in terms of those who prefer to lay back, remain observers, rather than participants, in this sport of making history...a nation divided by sitting in separate recliners, I'd be inclined...to agree. "Harold, the best deals are still to come...just sit back and wait a few more daze to get fully dazzled, as Prime...

New revenue, in revue - what we knew would... "Come again...?"   Usually heard in context of an interrogative, in order to gain clarity, about what was already said. Perhaps about what was even already done. Whereas "One and done" has come to be associated with collegiate athletics, in particular. And finally, as in a culmination of experience, the departments trying to win them over, are huddling (indulge me for a moment to focus on American futbol and its funders) to come up with even more revenue, in order to "compete in this NIL world". It's as if they are posing as after themselves had conspired (perhaps too "aggressive" of a word) with all the other agents, of change. But, as we've heard in the world of change, it doesn't come easily, or quickly enough, for those in charge... "Game of inches" Initially associated with football, broadened in scope and application, to any situation where you're trying to gain ground....

After mom… comes Pop! After effects… “something happens to men when they become fathers” is pretty much how it worked out, in our family domain. As in “dad will buy me a popsicle, especially if he didn’t know mom said no already…” I tried my best to put a lot of “pop” in everything, ranging from “let’s go out and I’ll hit some pop flies for you to chase, to get you tired for bedtime…a time I was infamous for popping in right at the time mom was finishing a lullaby, my complimentary…”and then Pop! goes the weasel…🎶” Karma being what she is, it came later in the form of “kids I think your dad would like another around of hop on pop…” Talk about a shift in the balance of power...😟 Perfect time for a paternal poll..."what's your stand, on popsicles?" 

"A right to a Speedo trial" The first... among a few other rites, of passage, for both the participants and members of the poolside audience. Add this to the heat indexing, which for the participants, is written on their flapper (otherwise known as a forearm to non-swimmers) by a Sharpie, just in case they're not at their sharpest, this being early in the morning and just after post...screen time, for so many. Whereas a so-called Meet Program is generously supplied, even with an appointed time to meet your respective swimmers for "pick-up" (just when you thought school was out). The pre-meet instructions via Maga…phone, as to the implications of being the first, last one..."on your block..." but more so in too quick off...which, along with changing lanes, could get you DQ'd ("not talking Dairy Queen folks!") -- a condition which used to get swimmers called back, out of the pool, back up, and do it all over again. Which got decked after th...

An internal memorandumb (written on masthead D.C. = Damage Control) Subject heading: A firm handshake, roughly translated  “Mr. President…” conveyed where else, but behind closed doors. So, I’m here to translate what…immense undertaking..."In your zeal, to seal the deal, you may have, what we wheeler dealers...the law of unintended consequences...but sir, somehow, some way, you always find a way, to get it done. You've managed to single handedly enrich the Uraniums, the few who've been willing to work with you, on this deal...congrats!"  A bit of a rush, may not have spell checked…Oh well, it’s for infernal use only…  

"Behold...the cupholder" As in... Hanging on, by a hook... as in "just barely" made it to the...next round of the World Cup... Dirtied cups and saucers... by the dozens, given the Euro teatime thing, and others here trying to emulate them, as in "tea rooms". Bringing us to the... Cupholders... the increasing demand for which eventuated them getting built in, to just about everything. But what about, the ones that come bearing the liquid that, whether shaken or stirred, could result in the bearer being well tipped on the one hand, or barely making out of the chambers...alive. Cuts both ways, this sword. The officially appointed "cupbearer" came early and often, holding a cup in one hand, and whatever resembled a modern hanky, in the other. Because even the proxy watching the emperor, pharaoh, king, whoever seated in the seat of royalty, sipping from the cup, could work up, a cold sweat. Sometimes too hard to bear. Whereas, if the drinker survived ...

Tender moments... In whatever lingo you prefer - whether you call them "keepers" in the Euro continent #1 sport of Futbol, or "goal tender" in 1/3 of the host nations where "soccer" is an up, and coming sport, underappreciated for its athleticism ("I dare you, to try and stay on your feet, while fighting off the urge to grab it with your hands!") - including the acrobatics that such specialized players go through to keep the ball from entering, passing through, the goal posts (known as the "goalie's best friend" helps them with their primary goal, of keeping it bouncing, the other way). This game even has specialized rules for subbing...most of which go off without much notice from the casual observer. Whereas when the goalie, or even more specialized the "sweeper keeper" (goalkeeper that becomes an extra defender, partly by virtue of their aggressive play) is found to be too much of a sleeper, called off the pitch, it can...

Prom and aid  prominently displayed - as an illumination, putting a bright light on what, in a neighboring community, became both a powerful message, and a picture of hope, for the next generation, whose biggest bash of their high school years, was almost dashed, by a single threatening text. To the rescue came some civic leaders, who called out, to other parents, to prevent this cancelled prom from being a permanent fixture in their minds. By coming together as a community of adults looking after their children, by creating both a safe space, complete with photo booth, to create new memories, to blot out, the plot of the would-be spoiler. Spoiler alert - we’re here to stop you and meanwhile, a strong object lesson for our children about civic pride.  prom pictures and their stories - they say that every picture tells a story. While one in particular features prom goers, just looking pleased to be in line, for punch, the line itself "pleased as punch" would have more to do wi...

The takedown heard around the world… “Take politics out of it…” and let the payers decide. Well, that’s what my mind filled in…as a commentary to who and how the decision was made, for one of the biggest takedowns in modern history. Only appropriate that the ringside be in D.C. where the esteemed Center for the Performing Arts squared off with mixed martial arts…the latter represented by the one who at least implied the use of martial law (mixed up with the Insurrection Act of 1807, but let’s not let history or laws on the books stand in the way). Along with some teeth gnashing, screams and shouts of “Encore!” that one would expect from such a raucous performance, that comes along about every 250 years. And those are only the sound effects emanating from the White House…given that the Kennedys won the first round…

Who wants to be a billionaire? (it's in the cards) I’ve made it! Well, I was just informed by…that despite giving millions away, I now have about a billion more in my bank, after only one day. You’d think my name was…Which they made sure I wasn’t as I got carded not only once, to ensure my identity (asked me my DOB as well but not place of origin 🤔) but handed me a whole deck of them, at the end of the P&P process (the latter even featuring “Platelet Donor” on every one of the 52)…guess they want to make sure when I return, I’m playing with a full deck. These blood thirsty nurses sure know how to drive a hard bargain. Whether you're in a position to give platelets, plasma, or the quickie (as in your "whole blood") - - please check out your local blood drive, as there's bound to be one circulating near you. Oh, and if you're a first timer, it will earn you...a donor card. 

Seating arrangements, leaving room for...   "Please stand..." for whatever national anthem, of whatever nation is hosting, toasting...boasting😉...and, it's like you don't even have to be told that, despite your few square inches of sacred bench space, you bought and paid for (probably in installments) you join the throng of thousands who remain...standing for the entire game. And they call this stadium seating...weird! Weirder yet… "Got room for one more...room?" we're talking amended amenities, of stadiums that are already well appointed. With rooms for changing (which have been in higher demand given all the trade portals), crying rooms (similar to those found in places of worship designed to bring them down to a whimper, whereas these are designed for world cup players, that come complete with crying towels), the traditional "time out room" for players to take a load off, in anticipation of the commercial time outs. And the add-on that only...

Getting cupped, world-wide.   ( NOW  I C U)  One would think... that beyond the occasional drink, they could come up with another use for us cups. The ones you casually hang on racks, put way in cupboards, even if they're collector's items, put in China cabinets, until assembling...a tea party. Think, drink no more, as it's ("cupping") been around since..."An ancient tradition practiced in China, Egypt…" and many other areas of the world, coming to North America to see ours... Kitchen sink… talk about stacking up the competition…as in the other traditions that preceded the whole World Cup thing…as in early and often we cupped our hands, as a natural response, when paper and plastic had Yeti to come our way. Followed in time when we started to more formally participate in ‘contact’ sports, offering a degree of protection…”don’t forget to wear your…😳” and finally, in order to not be “automatically disqualified” ..."please leave the stall open so I ca...

World Cup - Sites and sounds…comings and goings ("¿donde esta' el bano?")  A round up, of all you need to know… whether you know it as Futbol or, “got no queue” - come to watch “soccer” played out, on the “pitch” Best place to start… an iconic irony, that we (according to the BBC, who should know better) “find millions descending, on the sites"…which, last time I checked, collectively make up North America…so wouldn’t “ascendancy” be more accurate for this immigration pattern? Speaking of listening up… “Fee Fa Fo Fum….” Going to cost you a pretty sum, no matter which site or manner of (Brit speak) “transport” only to be upended by… “It’s official!” There will be none, let in. Now  we'll find out who the real bawlers are... "please stay in the stands until they get it sorted out down there..." And you thought that having field judges could slow down play... Circle back for more Cup play - "The preclude: may I please C-U-P?"

“We’re  entering a new phase...”  You and Me, US earthlings…  so it would appear. As represented by the recent “man on the street” surveys about the recent “man, man, woman, and man (not sure of seating arrangement)“ sharing space…as they circled the moon. Based on a random survey on the mall…”Why would anyone want to go all that way and not even land…if I wanted to see a moon walk, I’d go watch Michael…why, with a woman aboard, they didn't stop for directions, and keep circling... I couldn’t see it with all the other space junk…” Yep, based on conversations around the home base, plans for setting up a new base up there, had left the majority…un-phased. Tough crowd down here. These new moon streamer gens.  Oh...btw...get ready for A3 - based on current conditions down here, will probably prove to be under-whelming.

Movement of Cockroaches…Cockroach movement  A moving tribute… to what were here and among the insects and weeds, that show an indifference to our presence and will presumably, someday, given their adaptive abilities, will inherit the earth. A trend in classroom management has been to instruct children to “clip up, or down, depending on…” Whereas the “Cockroach Janta Party …" is seeking to clip the wings of the minister of education. due to corrupting the integrity of their educational system - - a movement that began with exposing some irregularities in exam scores and spread to a whole range of disparities of opportunities of youth in particular. We here experienced the results of the “No child left behind” - - we'll see in the coming weeks and months whether the movement in India sticks around long enough, to spread its wings. Meanwhile we, around here, are seeing the results of the spread of weed, and its roaches, left behind, that are contributing in no small way, to the d...

Dis-arming... Almost the whole rotation... from rotator cuff, to foreign bodies in the elbow😟, to off the cuff remarks, that sure sound like pre-trade talks... what used to be considered a "pitcher's arsenal" as in whole stockpile of stock pitches, in our home team case has become a massive "pitch out". As in no one else a...mound. Could be in for a long season of what we around here have become accustomed to as "pitching chaos!" (but for manager A. J. Hinch, should be a cinch) 😖

“Fallow the Leader” Right into Oblivion…   if we’re ‘too careful’ and put ourselves into a dormant condition too long…as in a combination of couples without children and otherwise a stag-nation…as in going it alone. Just ask Japan and a host of other nations who prefer not to…host immigrants (with the exception of exceptionally skilled individuals) but also experiencing population decline…due to deaths outrunning births…the losses mount up…or down, depending on your global point of view. As in what side of the pyramid scheme you find yourself…out producing or underproducing - which recipe do you turn to nurture...the next generation -“be fruitful, multiply" or "set aside, divide, for later use...". In planning out a successful recipe, it's partly a matter of proportioning. In developmental psychology we were taught that the 7th stage of life included giving back, "striving to nurture things that will outlast them" Whereas these days we, various generations,...

A Spartacular case of E.D.    (and a home-spun remedial) Same old story... Too transitory. An itinerant set of interims. Every one of which seems to be out for them Selves. From the transfer portal to the NIL...chasing fame, fortune. How can one be true to your school (as in "unwavering support") when you're too busy, waving goodbye? It's no wonder that those we are trying to teach, at least keep their butts in the seats, until their tuition comes in, don't stick around long enough to learn the FAQs of life. Talk about itinerant ironies...as in going from "Go Green, go..." the leader leaves a stack of them (just short of 800k) on the table. It should come of no surprise that the students in these institutions of higher learning start positioning themselves to leave us, as in their home...state, when their institution is becoming known as the E.D. U...as in suffering from Early Departure, of course. As in yet another president leaving a university prior t...

"See-3PO's" "Allow me to re-iterate" - One, two, three peat... "Three in a row" which for us on the ground is what is lofty goal of "pie in the sky" whereas for these IPO filers, it makes for Tic, Toc, Toe, trillionaire row!  With Anthropic lining up next to Space X and Saudi Aramco which, according to the sequencing, clouded out the OpenAI guy😢 The forecast for the stock market, given these new publicly traded issues leaving most of us high and dry, but could be conditions for one the hugest cloud bursts that..."just in case, take an umbrella"😟  

Signage of the times “ No Pot on the Tot Lot” Spells T-r-o-u-b-l-e if our evening walks are any indication. Where we frequently view the “No Dogs” running all over the children’s play area. With their owners, off leash. Despite the signs being at eye level and written at about a 3rd grade reading level. But given the latest test scores that our state has sunk to an eyesore level in reading and math proficiency, why am I surprised? The takeaway being that the tiny tots will likely be playing under…cloud cover. Can you spell “scofflaws”? 😫

The prominence of promenade (proper name) promos "The bigger the build-up..." yet another lesson, just in case they didn't get in Physics...about the gravity of getting too excited, due in part to the banners being flown...overhead by the fly buys..."Will you go with me...?" The newest featured just outside...the space station. Had to have planned this prior to...entering freshman year. Taking nothing for granted...leaving the name spaced out, as in blank. We're talking about a Safe Space, that is only one of 250 (just a co-incidence) of the Prom theme nights (up-date on Great Gatsby and the like) that give us a glimpse into the inner workings of the party planners. That, given the elaborate set ups, must have started planning when their future prom goers entered...pre-school.  Roll out, reversals... as in the neighbors Kravitzing is the new term... setting up lawn chairs, BBQ grills, and all the other regalia that go with such specialized tailgates (includi...

“Say gan?”    A PS to CS… “Where art thou, Mr. Billion aired?”  No one did it better… than Mr. Cosmos himself…which has resulted in being (mis) quoted almost a billion times. By some of the biggest nighttime stars, themselves, who were prone to “billions and…” instead of just once “upon”. But joking aside, if he were here today to see the unfolding of what he had been scolding about -- a future that could see "awesome technological power are in the hands of a very few" Here comes a power company touting "the powers in your hands" while the ones leading the charge, to get the "millions and millions" of so-called land "going to waste" converted into data centers, are keeping company with other billionaires. An Oracle told me so. And what would Carl Sagan comment about such a power play..."Now THAT's Cosmos sized cloud cover!" (I may have come up, just short) 

Terminal Velocity… “look out below!” Bellowed the pilot, to the co-pilot… “Get out of town!”  Yelled the passenger to the ‘cabbie’ (old usage)  A collision of forces… as in jostling for position. As if they were in the Grand Prix, another major event taking place just outside of Metro Detroit Airport (DTW) for us metro Detroiters, who conveniently call Detroit our home when our home team is in a strong position…whereas when things are drying up as in “de-Spirited” one has to look no longer than the empty terminal gates and/or the surface coverings…(luckily any connection between the demise of Spirit Airlines and the cover-up on the Spirit of Detroit is only a ugly rumor swirling around our city)... From concrete to asphalt… from zooming around the city streets, to landing on the tarmac, the latter made up of a more specialized bitumen (asphalt cement, which doesn't sound so special, eh?) Calling for a... Flyover … as in “go around once more as it appears they made have made a ...